SIAMS Inspection Questions

To support schools with developing their Christian vision and threading that vision through all areas of school life, we have written or curated resources for each of the Inspection Questions (IQ’s) from the SIAMS Framework September 2023.

IQ 1 - How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision enable pupils and adults to flourish?

This Inspection Question focuses on how well the school’s Christian vision is a living reality, enabling pupils and adults to flourish within the community and context the school serves.

The Church of England Vision for education (2016) embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of children and young people. It is worked out theologically and educationally through four basic elements:

• Wisdom
• Hope
• Community
• Dignity

The Church of England Vision for education (2016).

To help schools to consider their own school vision through a theological lens, we suggest that the Big Bible story can be condensed into these four theological concepts. Many schools’ existing vision and values include these concepts even if expressed using slightly different language.

Creation – each person is unique
Incarnation – an expression of God’s love
Salvation – forgiveness
Kingdom of God – us as the hands and feet of God on earth now as part of a community.

To enable the flourishing of children and adults, a school vision needs to be balanced, including the intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development elements of the school community.
It can be helpful to look at a balanced school vision as a triangle with inward, outward, and upward elements. This document sets out some of our thinking about this balance and triangle. A Theologically Based School Vision: What does that mean in a school context? 2023 (Coming soon)

Another resource, ‘What does theological underpinning mean?’ written by experienced SIAMS inspector Pamela Draycott (2018), may help schools articulate their theologically rooted vision:

What does theological underpinning mean? Pamela Draycott 2018 (Coming soon)

IQ 2 - How does the curriculum reflect the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision?

This inspection question focuses on how well the theologically rooted Christian vision shapes the learning experience and curriculum for all pupils. This includes spiritual development.

Schools may find this document supportive when reflecting on their approach to promoting spiritual development: ‘Spiritual Development - Interpretations of spiritual development in the classroom’ (October 2019)

IQ 3 - How is collective worship enabling pupils and adults to flourish spiritually?

This inspection question focuses on how well the theologically rooted Christian vision of the school shapes worship and spirituality. This includes partnerships with the church and the diocesan board of education.

This key document, published by the Church of England, provides guidance for collective worship in schools to ensure it is inclusive, invitational, and inspirational.

Find further resources on our Collective Worship page.

IQ 4 - How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create a culture in which pupils and adults are treated well?

This inspection question focuses on how well the theologically rooted Christian vision enables all to live well together in the school in an inclusive, dignifying, and equitable culture where well-being is enhanced.

This key document, published by the Church of England, provide guidance for schools in support of this area:
• Mental Health and Wellbeing: Towards a Whole School Approach (March 2018).

Follow these links for further resources:

Relationships, health and sex education
1. Permission to Discuss booklet
2. Permission to discuss leaflet
3. Permission to discuss slides

Links to
Church of England RHSE material
Goodness and Mercy website
HeartSmart
Children’s Society Let’s think about Friendships

Lovewise
The Story Project

IQ 5 - How does the school’s theologically rooted Christian vision create an active culture of justice and responsibility?

This inspection question focuses on how well the theologically rooted Christian vision enables a culture where there are positive relationships and where responsibility towards others is promoted.

This document, produced by the Church of England in association with Christian Aid, provides guidance to help schools explore the concept of courageous advocacy and what that might mean in the unique context of each school.

Follow these links for further resources:

Racial Justice resources
Below we have gathered together some resources to support schools around the area of racial justice. This is not a definitive list but we hope that it is helpful. Please do let us know if you have created or used something in your school that has been effective.
Links to
Racial Justice on our website
SACRE support for schools page our website
NATRE Antiracist RE units
#Faith at home Collective worships
Anna Freud website

Refugee resources
Refugee Collective worship and lesson resources
• What’s in my bag slides (Coming soon_)

Holocaust Memorial Day 27th January
Below is a useful document from Surrey SACRE which includes suggested resources and links for Primary and secondary schools who wish to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in their school.
Guidance for Surrey SACRE on marking Holocaust Memorial Day in schools (Coming soon).

IQ 6 - Is the religious education curriculum effective?
IQ 7 - What is the quality of religious education in voluntary aided and former voluntary aided schools, and in former voluntary controlled schools in which denominational religious education is taught?

These two inspection questions focus on the provision, profile, and priority of religious education within the curriculum with reference to the expectations set out in the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education.

Find further resources on our Religious Education page.